FEMA Provides Additional Disaster Services
Release Date: April 3, 2006
Release Number: 1631-018
» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Residents and business owners who have suffered losses due to the tornadoes and storms that impacted the state on March 11-13, 2006, may be eligible for additional disaster services from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of Missouri Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
FEMA and other federal, state, local and volunteer agencies offer disaster assistance in several forms:
Veterans Benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides death benefits, pensions, insurance settlements and adjustments to home mortgages for veterans.
Tax Refunds. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows certain casualty losses to be deducted on Federal income tax returns for the year of the loss or through an immediate amendment to the previous year's return.
Excise Tax Relief. Businesses may file claims with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) for payment of Federal excise taxes paid on alcoholic beverages or tobacco products lost, rendered unmarketable or condemned by a duly authorized official under various circumstances, including where the President has declared a major disaster.
Unemployment Benefits. Disaster Unemployment assistance (DUA) and unemployment insurance benefits may be available through the state unemployment office and supported by the U.S. Department of Labor. The DUA program provides unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed because of the disaster and are unable to secure regular unemployment benefits, e.g., farmers, agricultural producers and self-employed individuals.
Individuals, families and businesses may be eligible for federal assistance if they live, own a business, or work in a county declared a Major Disaster Area, incurred sufficient property damage or loss, and, depending on the type of assistance, do not have the insurance or other resources to meet their needs.
Affected Missouri residents and business owners may apply for assistance immediately by calling the toll-free number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For people who are speech or hearing-impaired, the TTY number is 1-800-462-7585. Telephone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, seven days a week. People may also apply online at www.fema.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 10-Apr-2006 07:34:44